Trimming attachment for sewing-machines



(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheen 1. T. S. PARKER.

TRIMMING ATTAGHMENT BOB SEWING MACHINES. No. 270,467. Patented Jan. 9,1883.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

T. S. PARKER.

TRIMMING ATTACHMENT POR SEWING MACHINES. No. 270,467. Patented Ja .11.9,1883.

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` UNTTED STATES PATENT Ormea.

THOMAS S. PARKER, OF SOHENEOTADY, NEV YORK.

TRllVIlVllNG ATTACHMENT FOR SEWlNGelVlACH-INS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,467, dated January 9, 1883.

Application filed September 28, 1882. (No model.)

`ters and figures of reference marked thereon,

which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for sup-y porting, guiding, and trimming the edges of knit fabrics while the same are being stitched in a sewing-machine of suitable construction, the object being to provide a simple and improved means of adjusting and operating the cutting devices; and to this end the inventionv consists in certain peculiarities in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

ln the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a vertical rear elevation of a sewing-machine provided with my improved trimming attachments, and showing the means for supporting, operating, vand adjusting the movable knife. Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine. Fig.3 is a detail perspective, showing the manner of arranging the stationary knife with relation to the movable knife and presser-foot, and also the means for adjustably securing said stationary knife. Fig. 4 is an end view illustrating the form and position of the movable knife, presser-foot, and feed. Fig. 5 is a detail View of a portion of the bracket-lever that supports one end ofthe vibratory lever for operating the movable knife; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the stationary knife, together with a portion of the bed or cloth .plate and a transverse section of the feed.

Like letters of reference are used to designate the same parts throughout the several views.

The trimming devices and means for adjusting and operating the same, as shown in the drawings above referred to, are capable of being applied to any ordinary sewing-machine, but are particularly applicable to that class of machines employed in stitching knit fabrics, and -in which it is desirable to trim the edges of the fabric while being stitched.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A is used to designate the bed or cloth plate, and B is an adjustable bracket, that is supported upon the cloth-plate in any suitable manner, so as to be readily adjusted by means of a setscrew, a', and slot b, as shown in Fig. 1, or by any other convenient means, for thepurpose of altering the position of the movable knife, as hereinafter described. The bracket B is provided with an irregularly T-shaped arm, o, to the forward end of which is attached a vertical sleeve or casing, d, for inclosing a vertically-reciprocating rod or bar, e, the lower end of which is enlarged or expanded to at'- forda bearing-surface for the attachment of the movable knife O, which is detachably se' cured to said expanded portion of the bar e by means of screws, as shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4. The rod or bar e and its casing d may be made rectangular, as shown,ortheymaybe made cylindrical, if desired, being provided in the latter case with suitable means for preventing rotation of the bar or rod within its casing. One side ofthe sleeve or casing cl is preferably slotted longitudinally or provided with a detachable slotted plate, cl', in order to.

afford a passage for the means of connecting the rod or bar e with its operating mechanism, which operating mechanism consists preferably of a vibratory lever, D, having a pivotal connection with an arm of the adjustable bracket B, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This lever D may be operated from any moving part of a sewing-machine; but as shown in the drawings it is operated from the looper-` shaft E, as hereinafter described.

The forward end of the lever D has a' pivotal connection with the vertically-moving knifesupporting bar e through a stud, screw, or 9 to the actuating-arm H of the needle-har, said arm being vibrated by means of a link,I, connecting the arm with the looperfshaft in a wellkiiown manner.

It will thus be seen that as the needleis operated to stiteh the fabric the movable knife C will be reciprocated in contact with the cutting-edge ofthe stationary knife K for the purpose of trimming the edges of the fabric in a line. parallel with the line of stitch, the fabric at the same time being fed by means of the usual devices beneath the presser-foot L and in position to be acted upon by the stitching and cutting mechanism.

It will also be observed that the slotted segment F, which has a pivotal connection with the liukfand lever G, may be adjusted by means of the. slotf, screw g, and thuinb-nut fi., or other suitabe devices, so as to raise or lower the link f and rear end of the lever D for the purposeof regulating the vertical position of thc movable knife C ortorloweringthe same to compensate for wear of it-s edge.

The stationary knife K consists preferably of a flat metallic har or plate having one end beveled to a cutting-edge, as shown in Fig. t3. rlhis knife is provided with a stud or handle, 7l', by which it may be manipulated, and it is also provided with an elongated slot, k', for the passage of ascrew, t', which serves, in connection with a thumbnut, m, to secure the knife iu a slot or recess that is formed in or on the cloth-plate for its reception.

Itis obvious that the screwt' and thumbnut m may be made in one piece, instead of separate, as shown; or an ordina-ry set-screw', machine-screw, or other similar device may be ein ployed, the object -being to provide a simple aiid compact device for adjustably securing the lower or stationary knife in proper relation to the upper or movable knife.

It will be seen that theknifeK can be readily l withdrawn, when required, by simply detaching the clamping device. The slot or recess formed in or on the cloth-plate for the reception of the knife K is of such length as to permit the necessary endwise adjustment of said knife to or from the movable knife and at right angles therewith. IThe movable knife C and its actuating mechanism are also capable of adjustment to or from the stationary knife, presser-foot, and feed by means of the adjustable sti pporting-bracket B, as before described.

The slot or recess for supporting the adjustablystationary knife is arranged in front of the bracket B at right angles to the feed-slot p, and is separated from the rear end of said t`eed-slot by a narrow bridge, s, which is arranged in a line with the needle, and serves as a guide to support the edge of the fabric to be trimmed, the movable knife being arranged to operate in the end of the stationary knifecar ryingr slot between the bridge-guide s and cutting-edge of the stationary knife. This bridgeguide may be formed integral with the cloth plate, as shown, or in any other suitable manner.

In order to allow ample room for the verti cal movement of the upper knife, C, without liability of contact between the presser-foot and the screw or devices for securing said knife to its-reciprocating support, it has been touiid desirable to shorten the presser-foot bar t while lengthening, and making the Shank 0f the presser-footL with a double curve, formed as shown in Fig. 4, all danger of contact between the parts being thus avoided. The presser-footbar t and needle-bar QJ are made to reciprocate vertically` in apertures formed in a guidepiece, w, at the forward end or head of the goose-neck, in the usual manner.

, It is obvious that the trimming devices, as above described, may be readily applied to any sewinganachine ot' ordinary or suitable construction.

It will be understood that I do not herein claim a knife attached to a vertically-reciproeating rod or bar, nor a vibratory lever for actuating said knife-carrying rod. Nor do I claim the attachment of said lever to an adjustable support, such construction heilig shown in my application tiled August 12,1882, Serial No. 69,166.

Having thusdescribcd my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- O l. In a sewing-machine trimmer, the combination, with the cloth-plate and stationary cutter, of an adjustable bracket supporting a ver tically-reciprocating rod or bar and its operating meclianism, a knife orcutter detachably secured to the lower end ot' said rod or bar, and means for adjusting the supporting and operating mechanism ot' said knife to compensate for car of its cutting-edge, substantially as described.

2. In a sewingmachine trimmer, the combination of a stationary knife or cutter capable 0f adjustment in oron theclothplate,a bracket; adjustable on said plate, a verticallymeciproeating rod or bar supported in a sleeve or casing attached to the bracket, a knife or cutter carried by said verticallyanoving bar, a vibrating lever pivotcd to au arm of the adjust able bracket, said lever beingconnected at one end to the knife-carrying rod or har, and at its'opposite end to some moving part 0f th'e machine, and means for raising and lowering one end of said lever, whereby the position of the movable knife is adjusted vertically and horizontally with relation to the stationary knife, substantially as described.

3. In a sewingmachine trimmer, the combination, with the feeding, stitchforining, and cutting mechanism, of a presseroot having an elongated and doubly-curved shank attached to a short presser-foot bar, as described, whereby the upper movable knife may be adjusted and operated without cotning in contact with said presser-foot shank, substantially as described.

4. In a sewing-machine trimmer, the combi nation, with the slotted or recessed cloth-plate IOO IOS

llO

A, having,` a guide, s, arranged parallel with and between the feeding and cutting mechanism, of the presser-foot L, movable knife C, and a stationary knif'e, K, having an elongated slot, 7c', screw t', and thumbnut m, whereby said stationary knife is capable of being adj usted or withdrawn,substantially as described.

5. In a sewing-machine trimmer, the combi nation ofthe cloth-plate A, stationary knife K, adjustable bracket B, having an arm, c, supporting a slotted sleeve or casing, d, the "ertically-reciprocating rod or bar e, arranged in said casing and .carrying a knife, O, the vibratory lever D, linkf, slotted segment 0r connection F, bracket-lever G, and means for adjnstably securing the segmental connection, whereby the position of the movable knife and its supporting and operating mechanism is varied, substantially as described.

1n testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. Y

` THOMAS s. PARKER.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN PARKER, J oHN F. GLUTE. 

